The Complete Guide to the Outer Banks North Carolina Beaches

The Complete Guide to the Outer Banks North Carolina Beaches highlights the best beaches, where to go, what to do, where to stay, what to eat and so much more about the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Planning a day trip, weekend trip or just looking for other things to do, places to visit, and where to eat across North Carolina?

Check out Off the Eaten Path’s North Carolina Travel Guide, which features weekend itineraries, travel and restaurant recommendations across the Tarheel State. 

And if you’re looking for other North Carolina beach recommendations and suggestions, make sure to check out the best things to do in Beaufort NC and Off the Eaten Path has an epic list of 25+ beaches near Charlotte, NC.

The Outer Banks (also known as the OBX) are more than just vacation rentals, expansive beachfront and Atlantic Ocean views (but trust me, the beaches and ocean views are worth the visit).

Spanning almost the entire coast of North Carolina, the 200-mile string of barrier islands are home to miles of shoreline, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, aquatic plant and animal life, wild horses, The Roanoke Colony (also known as The Lost Colony, one of America’s first settlements and most intriguing, unsolved mysteries, aviation (the Wright Brothers took their first flight in Kill Devil Hills on December 17, 1903), pirates (including Blackbeard, Ocracoke Inlet was the famed pirate’s favorite anchorage), and tons of fabulous places to stay, delicious food to eat, and plenty of fun things to do! All of this (and more) makes the Outer Banks one of the best vacation destinations on the East Coast and an ideal place for your next trip.

The Outer Banks is one of my favorite places to visit.

My family has been taking our annual summer family vacation there since I was a baby. (so now for 30 years!) The Outer Banks is a fun and special place for us; our beach house was always filled with family, cold beer and laughter.

My cousins, sister and I would spend our days boogie boarding, building sand castles, and searching for sea shells, only to be ushered inside by the sinking sun and the promise of ice cream at Sunset Ice Cream after dinner.

As I grew older, our annual trip to the Outer Banks was one I wouldn’t miss, even if that meant spending the week before the bar exam writing essays in the early morning on a beach house dresser and repeating my flash cards to myself on afternoon beach walks.

The Outer Banks means so much to us that my husband and I planned our wedding there, although Hurricane Matthew had other plans. (Read all about our Outer Banks wedding and the vendors we used…and read all about our Charlotte wedding that we planned in three days before Matthew!)

Now, I get to share a place that is so special to me with my 18 month old son, who now joins us on our annual family vacation. It’s wild that our beach trips have come full circle that I used to go to the Outer Banks as a baby and now I’m bringing my baby!

I’m so excited to share this special place today with you, my readers, too. I hope, if you get anything from this post, that the Outer Banks is the perfect place for your next trip, and that is has some of the best beaches in the country!

We’re beach bound! Can you feel the sand between your toes and smell the salt in the air?

How to get to the Outer Banks

The Outer Banks are a set of barrier islands in the northeastern part of North Carolina, just South of the Virginia border.

The islands easily accessible by car via major interstate highways:

• About 1.5 hours south from Norfolk, Virginia, via US-158.
• About 3.5 hours west from Raleigh, NC, via Interstate 40.
• About 6 hours from Charlotte, NC, via Interstate 85 to Interstate 40
• About 5-6 hours from Washington, DC, via Interstate 95, to Interstate 64.

The closest airport to the Outer Banks is Norfolk International Airport (ORF), which is 82 miles north of the town of Kitty Hawk (about an hour and a half drive).

You can rent a car at the airport or take a shuttle down to the Outer Banks.

Trying to decide what you should pack for your Outer Banks beach trip? Check out this beach packing list which is full of all the essentials you need!

Where to stay at the Outer Banks

The OBX is comprised of 15 small towns and villages, each offering a different vacation vibe to visitors. The Outer Banks towns are:

• Corolla
• Duck
• Southern Shores
• Kitty Hawk
• Kill Devil Hills
• Nags Head
• Manteo (located on Roanoke Island)
• Avon
• Waves
• Frisco
• Salvo
• Rodanthe
• Buxton
• Hatteras Village
• Ocracoke

Staying somewhere like Nags Head or Kill Devil Hills will put you right in the middle of the action with easy access to popular activities, attractions, and restaurants, while a place like Avon, Rodanthe or Hatteras will give you a simpler, slower pace with not much more than sand dunes and the roaring Atlantic. (and there are even more remote spots like Carova, which requires 4WD vehicle access or Ocracoke which is a ferry ride away!)

Once you narrow down your location, you have to decide on the type of accommodations. One of the Outer Banks’ beachfront hotels and resorts will help you take advantage of the barrier island benefits and stay just steps from the ocean. The Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks/Kitty Hawk has a prime location on the the Beach Road (Virginia Dare Trail) with oceanfront rooms, a fishing pier, and access to a lot of great restaurants and shops in Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills.

Another great beachfront option is the Sanderling Resort in Duck, offering hotel oceanfront rooms, beach house rentals, beach and sound access, a full service spa and several restaurants on site (fun fact: when Al Roker from the Today Show comes to the Outer Banks to report on hurricanes, he stays at Sanderling).

If you’re planning on staying at the Outer Banks for more than a few days and would prefer to spread out a bit more rather than be confined to a hotel room, I highly suggest you book a vacation rental home through one of the many Outer Banks rental agencies (who have a wide variety of rental homes available for week long rentals) or a service like AirBNB.

There are tons of options to choose from so you’re sure to find something to suit your needs depending on your budget and location.

Opt to “rough it” and set up camp at one of the many campsites on the Outer Banks. Over the past few years, AJ and I have taken advantage of the campsites available on Cape Hatteras National Seashore (there are four campgrounds maintained by the National Park Service) and they are featured in Off the Eaten Path’s best tent camping in NC guide!

Camping at the Outer Banks has given me a greater appreciation for the natural beauty and local wildlife and has given me a new perspective of my beloved beaches. Plus, camping is an affordable and fun way to enjoy the Outer Banks. 

The Best Outer Banks Restaurants

Every time we come to the beach, fresh seafood is on the menu.  

Dinner at Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar is a family tradition that spans over a decade; it goes back to when my parents asked a local 15 or so years ago for a good, low key place to grab some seafood for dinner and he directed them to Awful Arthur’s.

The wait in the summer season can get long, but head to the ocean view lounge for a cocktail and some fresh oysters with tabasco and horseradish.

Duck Deli is a Duck institution. They offer a variety sandwiches and deli staples, as well as excellent Eastern North Carolina (vinegar based) barbecue.

It’s a tiny place that gets overrun with tourists at lunch and dinner time, so the best time to go is mid afternoon after a long morning on the beach.

TRIO is one of my new favorite restaurants at the Outer Banks…my sister introduced me to it on a rainy day a few years ago! Part wine shop, cheese monger, specialty shop, market and restaurant with wine flights, draught beer and delicious small bites, TRIO is the perfect place to spend the afternoon when it’s a little overcast and rainy.

It would also be so perfect for a date night, and we also love picking up cheese and snacks and a bottle of wine and building our own cheese board at home!

Ocean Boulevard Bistro and Martini Bar has brought fine dining to the beach (it’s my mom and my new favorite spot for a glass of pinot and a delicious meal)!

Ocean Boulevard serves up regional food (fresh caught fish and locally grown produce) with a global flair.

Their menu changes seasonally depending on what’s local and available. They also have an extensive wine list, tasty (and strong) martinis and live music on the patio in the summer.

With the thrashing Atlantic in your backyard, there’s no way you can go a week without the basics. Dockside ‘n Duck has all of your fresh seafood needs to cook up at home–steamed shrimp (in Old Bay, of course!), fresh mussels, oysters, clams, lobsters, and all the fresh fish you can dream of.

A blue crab feast at our beach house is an annual beach vacation tradition, and Dockside provides the crabs and hammers, so all we have to do is get crackin’!

Rundown Cafe is a family friendly, casual joint in Kitty Hawk with an eclectic menu inspired by travels to the Caribbean and Pacific Rim. A traditional Jamaican soup of fish, coconut milk, onions, tomatoes and yams gave Rundown its name 20 years ago and is still featured first on the menu.

Boasting three small tables, a few benches, and a never ending line in the summer, a visit to Sunset Ice Cream, a locally owned ice cream and coffee shop is a summer must.

Waiting in line brings back memories of family beach vacations with our cousins (our parents would just shut us up with the sticky, sweet ice cream that often melted down my hands and stained my t shirts).

Our family makes sure to stop at least once (usually several times) for a scoop or a milkshake and to catch the sunset.

For local brews and tasty pub fare, head to Outer Banks Brewing Station.  Outer Banks Brewing Station is also America’s first wind powered brewery.

Don’t let the line deter you; the folks at Uncle Eddy’s Frozen Custard get through it quick and the authentic frozen custard is worth the wait. Take the time to check our their impressive shell collection and shell art, and decide if you’re going to get a cone, a Hurricane Eddy or a sundae.

Collington Cafe is an Outer Banks institution, where they’ve been serving local food with a gourmet touch to locals and visitors for over 24 years. 

I love Collington Cafe’s location and space; it’s tucked away from the beach in an old, Victorian Home surrounded by the shade of gorgeous oak trees.

Grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast treat and it enjoy it on Orange Blossom Bakery and Cafe’s front porch (maybe Bandit the kitten will stop by and say hi).

They’re famous for their Apple Uglies (a creative creation made with leftover donut dough and apples and deep fried like a fritter), and for a good reason (calories don’t count on vacation!!). If you’re not in the mood for a sweet treat, they have excellent bagel sandwiches.

The Dancing Turtle Coffee Shop is perched at the very end of Hatteras Island, right across the ferry to Ocracoke. Get up early and wake up with a cup of the Coconut Crunch coffee (it’s their best seller and the hint of coconut is incredible) and then head straight for the beach for some sipping and strolling.

Of famous franchise donuts fame, Duck Donuts opened their first shop in the Outer Banks. Lines are out the doors in the summer, but the freshly made donuts are totally worth the wait.

Satisfy all of your beverage and t-shirt souvenir needs without having to leave your car. Brew Thru is a drive-through convenience store; pull in and pick your poison from the floor to ceiling coolers on either side of your car.

Don’t leave without a Brew Thru t-shirt; they’ve been coming out with a new design annually since 1977.

AJ is a bit of a fish taco connoisseur and has deemed  Top Dog Cafe’s fish tacos the best on the Outer Banks. Besides great fish tacos, I love their casual atmosphere, whimsical decor and screened porch.

Pick up a latte and a beach book at Duck’s Cottage Coffee and Bookshop.

Duck’s Cottage has the perfect cozy coffee shop feel and a beach book to satisfy any mood. If you’re not sure what you want to read, spend some time perusing their shelves and be on the look out for little signs pointing out bestsellers and staff recommendations.

If you’re looking for a spectacular sunset with a side of fresh seafood, Miller’s Waterfront Restaurant is the spot for you. Enjoy a cocktail on their Pamlico sound side deck while listening to a steel drum band and watching the sun sink behind the horizon.

Another great sunset dining option is AQUA in the town of Duck, where you can enjoy a meal made with seasonal, local ingredients and fresh caught fish sound side.

NC Coast Grill and Bar is a newer favorite of ours. Like AQUA, its a waterfront restaurant in Duck offering panoramic views over the Currituck Sound, beautiful sunsets, and even boat dockage and outdoor dining along the town of Duck boardwalk. Beyond the waterfront views, NC Coast offers a delicious chef driven menu and creative and delicious cocktails. We’d recommend you order the chef’s board which offers a variety of different menu items picked for you by the chef!

Tortugas Lie is a local’s hangout in Nags Head with Caribbean inspired beach fare and ice cold margaritas (made with fresh squeezed orange juice).

Go for the fish tacos and Hatteras style chowder (clear broth style clam chowder), stay for the people watching and friendly conversation.

If you’re coming to the Outer Banks from the North, you’ll probably be hungry at some point on your drive, so make sure you stop in at Currituck BBQ on the side of Highway 158 in Coinjock, NC.

They serve up one of the best pulled pork sandwiches I’ve ever eaten, and have plenty of sauces for sale for you to take home with you!

Hit the Beach: The Best Beaches in the Outer Banks

Put on your suit and your sunnies, grab a towel, chair, boogie board and good book and hit the beach. The Outer Banks is known for it’s beautiful beaches. Dotted with beach umbrellas in the summer, the Outer Banks are home to some of the best beaches on the East Coast! 

No matter if you are at the northern beaches in Carova or Carolla, or on the more remote Ocracoke Island, you can spend the day in the sun, take a dip in the ocean, and comb the beach for seashells and other treasures. Each town and community in the Outer Banks has a variety of different public beaches (except for Southern Shores and Duck, who do not have public beach accesses, all beach access points are limited to residents and guests only). Many have lifeguards on duty on the beach from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and some offer amenities ranging from bathhouses to foot showers or porta potties. Parking also depends on location and can range from free street parking to paved public parking lots.

If you’re looking for something less crowded, head to Coquina Beach or Cape Point Beach on  Cape Hatteras National Seashore, where rolling sand dunes and sea oats separate the coastal highway from the expansive Atlantic.

GO FISHING

Cast a line from the shore (known as surf fishing), try your luck off a pier (check out Avalon Pier, Jennette’s Pier or Rodanthe Pier) or book a deep sea fishing adventure to get the day’s freshest catch.

Make sure you have a license; short term coastal fishing licenses start at 10 dollars.

CLIMB A LIGHTHOUSE

Enjoy the view from the top at one of the Outer Banks five historic lighthouses, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and Ocracoke Lighthouse (the fifth lighthouse, the Cape Lookout Lighthouse is actually located on Cape Lookout National Seashore in North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, and it’s one of the top things to do in Beaufort NC).

These beacons guided mariners and travelers for centuries, and now many are open for climbing–and even those that aren’t currently open inside are still interesting to visit to see their beauty and learn their history. Each Outer Banks lighthouse is special due to its distinctive daymark, which is the painted pattern on a lighthouse that distinguishes them from each other.

PLAY PUTT PUTT

A round of mini golf is perfect for children (or bringing out your inner child). Work on your par with the dinosaurs at Jurassic Putt or go on an adventure searching for gold and diamonds at Lost Treasure Mini Golf.

LEARN ABOUT THE LOST COLONY

Soak up some history and drama along with your rays at a performance of The Lost Colony. This annual summer spectacular showcases the dramatic and mysterious story of the Roanoke Colony, one of the earliest settlements in the United States.

TRY WATER SPORTS

The Atlantic Ocean is the best kind of playground. Rent a stand up paddle board and surf the waves; boogie board your way to the beach; let the wind fill your sails on a kiteboard; or paddle into the surf in an ocean kayak.

If you prefer calmer waters, check out the water sports soundside–parasail high in the clouds; pick up the pace with a jet ski, or go on a kayak eco tour.

The Outer Banks offers tons of outfitters and rentals for all of your water sports needs; check out Ocean Atlantic Rentals and Kitty Hawk Kites.

EXPLORE THE HIGHEST SAND DUNE ON THE EAST COAST

The Outer Banks is home largest natural sand dune system in the Eastern United States. There are a multitude of activities to enjoy at Jockey’s Ridge State Park including hiking, sandboarding, and hang gliding. Pro tip: avoid Jockey’s Ridge in the middle of a summer day; hot sand dunes and no shade is not the best combination.

SEE THE SPOT THAT WAS FIRST IN FLIGHT

Stand in the place where the Wright Brothers’ first took flight in 1903. Visit the birthplace of aviation in Kill Devil Hills and stop by the Wright Brothers’ National Memorial to learn about Orville and Wilbur’s life, gliding experiments and dreams of flying.

LOOK FOR WILD HORSES

Seeing the wild horses is a treat of any Outer Banks visit. The wild mustangs’ origins date back nearly 500 years, making them the earliest settlers of the Outer Banks.

The horses travel in small herds and can be seen in the Corolla beach and Carova beach areas in the Northern Outer Banks. Spotting the horses usually requires driving on the beach, so 4 wheel drive is definitely recommended.

Take your shot and plan your own adventure, or book through an experienced guide (my aunt and sister recommend Corolla Jeep Adventures).

CATCH A FERRY TO OCRACOKE

A 40 minute ferry ride will transport you from Hatteras Island to Ocracoke Island. Enjoy the drive through Ocracoke’s unspoiled national seashore and then take some time to explore Ocracoke Village, a small settlement with a few restaurants and bars. Make a stop at the Ocracoke Lighthouse, the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina.

CRUISE THE OUTER BANKS SCENIC HIGHWAY

The Outer Banks National Scenic Byway starts at Whalebone Junction in Nags Head and heads sound between the Atlantic Ocean and Pamlico Sound through Bodie Island and Hatteras Island, then includes the ferry ride over to Ocracoke Island, and another ferry ride to Down East’s Cedar Island, where it ends near Beaufort, North Carolina. The Beaufort area is part of North Carolina’s Crystal Coast (also known as the Southern Outer Banks) and has many fun things to do and beautiful beaches to explore like Cape Lookout National Seashore, Pine Knoll Shores, Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle and more.

The total length is 137.8 miles and about five and a half hours of driving time (including the two ferry rides which take about three and a half hours total). A few years ago, we tacked this scenic drive on to the end of our beach vacation and broke the drive up into two days, going from Duck, through Hatteras Island to Ocracroke on the first day, staying overnight in Ocracoke, and then traveling from Ocracoke to Beaufort the next day, and spending the night in Beaufort.